Common Core becoming issue in 4th District

DesJarlais says Tracy helped bring contested standards

6:14 AM,
Mar. 8, 2014

Rep. Scott DesJarlais

Written by

Paul C. Barton
| Tennessean Washington Bureau

Rep. Scott DesJarlais says state Sen. Jim Tracy, his main Republican primary opponent, can't hide from his role in bringing to Tennessee the Common Core education standards, an emotionally charged political issue for tea party conservatives.

A Tracy spokesman says DesJarlais distorts history as he runs a "desperate campaign lacking substantial support in his own district."

In January 2010, the Tennessee legislature approved the state's First to the Top education reforms, a package needed to obtain grants under President Barack Obama's Race to the Top program for school ...